Strut-channel nut
A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.
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This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,374, filed Jan. 11, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a nut for insertion into a channel of a strut. As the computer, communications, and energy industries have grown, it is increasingly important to have easy-to-assemble structures to carry computer equipment, cables, etc., for these industries. Often structures made from struts are used to carry such equipment. When a strut is used, often a nut is placed in the channel of the strut to attach other structural components (e.g., another strut, cable hanger, bracket, etc.) to the strut. Struts also often come in different sizes.
Computer equipment, cables, or anything requiring support, may be supported by a metal frame comprising struts. When a strut is used, often a nut is placed in the channel of the strut to attach other structural components (e.g., another strut, cable hanger, bracket, etc.) to the strut.
In its first position, nut 104-1 is situated under strut 102 so that nut 104-1 can be placed into opening 112 of strut 102. In its second position, nut 104-2 is situated in channel 106 of strut 102. In its third position, nut 104-3 has been rotated approximately forty-five degrees (e.g., relative to the position of nut 104-2) so that nut 104-3 can begin to rest on internal flanges 114 of strut 102. In its fourth position, nut 104-4 has been rotated approximately ninety degrees (e.g., relative to the position of nut 104-2) so that nut 104-4 may fully rest on internal flanges 114 of strut 102.
In the fourth position, nut 104-1 may receive bolt 108 that secures bracket 110, 104, and bolt 108 to strut 102. In one embodiment, as described below, teeth on nut 104 may help prevent nut 104 from sliding along the length of strut 102. Further, the geometric shape of nut 104 may prevent nut 104 from rotating much beyond the position shown by nut 104-4 (e.g., relative to the position of nut 104-2). As discussed below, nut 104 may be well suited for multiple size struts. Strut 102 and nut 104 are described in detail below with respect to
As shown to
First face 308 includes a first set of teeth 320-1 and a second set of teeth 320-2 (collectively teeth 320). Teeth 320 may engage with upwardly projecting portions 260 of flanges 256 to help secure nut 104 to strut 102. For example, teeth 320 may increase the friction between nut 104 and strut 102 so that nut 104 does not slide through the length of channel 106 when nut 104 is secured to strut 102 (e.g., via a clamping relationship with bracket 110 and bolt 108). In one embodiment, teeth 320 may extend from hole 306 to end surfaces 312 of nut 104 (e.g., extending from a tangent of hole 306 parallel to minor axis 304 to end surfaces 312). In another embodiment, nut 104 includes a ridge 322 surrounding hole 306. In this embodiment, teeth 320 may extend from ridge 322 to end surfaces 312 (e.g., extending from a tangent of ridge 322 parallel to minor axis 304 to end surfaces 312). Ridge 322, as described in more detail below, may receive a cone for holding nut 104 to strut 102 before coupling bolt 108 to nut 104. In yet another embodiment, hole 306 may include a recess (not shown) surrounding hole 306. The recess, as described in more detail below, may also receive a cone for holding nut 104 to strut 102 before coupling bolt 108 to nut 104. In this embodiment, teeth 320 may extend from the recess to end surfaces 312 of nut 104 (e.g., extending from a tangent of the recess parallel to minor axis 304 to end surfaces 312). In one embodiment, surface 308 may be substantially covered with teeth 320. In one embodiment, teeth 320 may extend to the edge of surface 308 for the entire length of surfaces 312. This embodiment may allow for nut 104 to accommodate struts of different sizes (e.g., different spacing between upwardly projecting portions 260).
As mentioned above with respect to
As shown in
In one embodiment, once in position 4, nut 104 may be prevented from further rotation. As shown in
First face 808 includes a first set of teeth 820-1 and a second set of teeth 820-2 (collectively teeth 820). Teeth 820 may engage with upwardly projecting portions 260 of flanges 256 to help secure nut 804 to strut 102. For example, teeth 820 may increase the friction between nut 804 and strut 102 so that nut 804 does not slide through channel 106 when nut 804 is secured to strut 102. In one embodiment, teeth 820 may begin at hole 806 and end at end surfaces 812 of nut 804 (e.g., extend between tangents of hole 806 parallel to minor axis 803 and extend to end surfaces 812). In another embodiment, hole 806 may include a ridge (e.g., similar ridge 322) surrounding hole 806. In this embodiment, teeth 820 may extend from the ridge (or tangents of the ridge) to end surfaces 812 of nut 804. In yet another embodiment, hole 806 may include a recess (not shown) surrounding hole 806. The recess, as described above, may receive cone 606 for securing nut 804 to strut 102. In this embodiment, teeth 820 may begin at the recess tangents of the ridge) and extend to the end surfaces 812 of nut 804. In one embodiment, teeth 820 may cover substantially all of first face 808 of nut 804. In one embodiment, teeth 820 may extend to the edge of surface 808 for the entire length of surfaces 812. This embodiment may allow for nut 804 to accommodate struts of different sizes (e.g., different spacing between upwardly projecting portions 260).
Similar to nut 104, nut 804 may be inserted into strut 102 and rotated for securing nut 804 to strut 102. Nut 804 includes a width w2 that is narrow enough to be inserted into opening 112 (e.g., narrower than opening width d1). In this example, width w2 extends along face 808 from first side surface 810-1 to second side surface 810-2. In this way, nut 104 may be inserted into strut 102 while face 808 of nut 804 is parallel with the surface of top portion 252. Put another way, nut may be inserted into strut 102 while face 808 is parallel with the surface formed between upwardly projecting portions 260. In this embodiment, nut 804 does not have to be rotated slightly to enter opening 112 because nut 804 does not include projections 326.
Once nut 804 is inserted into strut 102, nut 804 may be rotated such that teeth 820 engage upwardly projecting portions 260 of strut 102. Like nut 104, nut 804 includes opposite rounded corners 824. A first rounded corner 824-1 extends between first side surface 810-1 and first end surface 812-1. A second rounded corner 824-2 extends between second side surface 810-2 and second end surface 812-2. Rounded corners 824 may allow nut 804 to continue to be rotated until major axis 802 is perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the major axis of strut 102. That is, the distance from first rounded corner 824-1 to second rounded corner 824-2 is less than channel width d2.
As with nut 104, nut 804 may be prevented from further rotation. As shown in
As mentioned above, nuts disclosed herein (e.g., nut 104 and/or nut 804) may be used for struts of various sizes.
The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. Although terms such as “front,” “rear,” “forward,” “backward,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” “under,” and “over” are used, these terms are used for convenience to show elements in the figures relative to each other. These terms are not used to indicate absolute direction or position. As such, the terms “rear” and “front” may be interchanged, “top” and “bottom” may interchanged, etc.
Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.
No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- a nut having a first face and a second face with a hole passing from the first face through the nut to the second face, wherein the nut includes a length along the first face and the second face and a width along the first face and the second face, the length being greater than the width, wherein the nut includes a first end surface and a second end surface at ends of the length, and wherein the nut includes a first side surface and a second side surface at ends of the width, wherein the first end surface meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and wherein the second end surface meets the second side surface at a second rounded corner, wherein the first rounded corner is opposite the second rounded corner, wherein the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner, wherein the first protrusion protrudes from the first side surface in a direction normal to the first side surface, wherein the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from the second side surface in a direction normal to the second side surface, and wherein the third corner is opposite the fourth corner, and wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner disallow prevent further rotation in the channel of the strut by virtue of a distance between the first protrusion at the third corner and the second protrusion at the fourth corner being greater than a channel width of the channel defined by a first wall and a second wall of the strut.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- teeth on the first face of the nut, wherein the teeth extend to the first end surface and the second end surface, wherein the teeth are configured to engage a flange of the strut.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the strut is a first strut, the system further comprising:
- the first strut, wherein the first strut has a first channel opening to a first channel, wherein the first channel opening has a first opening width and the first channel has a first channel width, wherein the third corner and the fourth corner prevent further rotation in the first channel of the first strut by virtue of the first protrusion at the third corner and the second protrusion at the fourth corner contacting the first wall and the second wall of the first strut.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:
- a second strut having a second channel opening to a second channel, wherein the second channel opening has a second opening width and the second channel has a second channel width,
- wherein the second opening width is greater than the first opening width or the second channel width is greater than the first channel width,
- wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in the second channel of the second strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner prevent further rotation in the second channel of the second strut by virtue of the distance between the first protrusion at the third corner and the second protrusion at the fourth corner being greater than the second channel width defined by a first wall and a second wall of the second strut, and by virtue of the first protrusion at the third corner and the second protrusion at the fourth corner contacting the first wall and the second wall of the second channel of the second strut.
5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:
- teeth on the first face of the nut, wherein the teeth extend to the first end surface and the second end surface,
- wherein the teeth are configured to engage a flange of the first strut and a flange of the second strut, and
- wherein the second opening width is greater than the first opening width.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a magnetized portion configured to hold the nut to the strut for assembly.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a recess or a flange for coupling to a spring or a cone for holding the nut to the strut for assembly.
8. A system comprising:
- a nut having a first face and a second face with a hole passing from the first face through the nut to the second face, wherein the nut includes a length along the first face and the second face and a width along the first face and the second face, the length being greater than the width, wherein the nut includes a first end having a first end surface and a second end having a second end surface at ends of the length, and wherein the nut includes a first side having a first side surface and a second side having a second side surface at ends of the width, wherein the nut includes teeth on the first face of the nut, wherein the teeth extend to the first end surface and to the second end surface, wherein the teeth extend the entire width of the first face at the first end and the teeth extend the entire width of the first face of the nut at the second end, and wherein the teeth are configured to engage a flange of a first strut and a second strut, wherein the first end surface meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and wherein the second end surface meets the second side surface at a second rounded corner, wherein the first rounded corner is opposite the second rounded corner, wherein the first side surface meets the second end surface at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner, wherein the second side surface meets the first end surface at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner, wherein the third corner is opposite the fourth corner, wherein the first strut has a first channel opening to a first channel, wherein the first channel opening has a first opening width and the first channel has a first channel width, wherein the second strut has a second channel opening to a second channel, wherein the second channel opening has a second opening width and the second channel has a second channel width, wherein the first strut and the second strut are different sizes such that the second opening width is greater than the first opening width or the second channel width is greater than the first channel width, wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in the first channel of the first strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation of the nut in the first channel of the first strut, and wherein the nut is configured to receive a bolt and secure a bracket to the first strut and the second strut.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first side surface includes a first protrusion at the third corner, wherein the second side surface includes a second protrusion at the fourth corner.
10. The system of claim 8, further comprising:
- the first strut; and
- the second strut, wherein the first channel width is one and one-half inches and wherein the second channel width is one and five-eighths inches, or wherein the second channel width is one-eighth of an inch larger than the first channel width.
11. The system of claim 8,
- wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in the second channel of the second strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the second channel of the second strut, and
- wherein the first strut and the second strut are different sizes such that the second opening width is greater than the first opening width.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the nut includes a magnetized portion configured to hold the nut to the first strut or the second strut.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the nut includes a recess or a flange for coupling to a spring or a cone for holding the nut to the first strut or the second strut for assembly.
14. A system comprising:
- a nut having a first face and a second face with a hole passing from the first face through the nut to the second face, wherein the nut includes a length along the first face and the second face and a width along the first face and the second face, the length being greater than the width, wherein the nut includes a first end surface and a second end surface at ends of the length, and wherein the nut includes a first side surface and a second side surface at ends of the width, wherein the first end surface meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and wherein the second end surface meets the second side surface at a second rounded corner, wherein the first rounded corner is opposite the second rounded corner, wherein the first side surface meets the second end surface at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner, wherein the second side surface meets the first end surface at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner, wherein the third corner is opposite the fourth corner, wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut, and wherein the nut includes a magnetized portion to hold the nut to the strut during assembly.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the magnetized portion of the nut includes a magnet.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the strut is a first strut, the system further comprising:
- the first strut, wherein the first strut has a first channel opening to a first channel, wherein the first channel opening has a first opening width and the first channel has a first channel width and
- a second strut having a second channel opening to a second channel, wherein the second channel opening has a second opening width and the second channel has a second channel width, wherein the second opening width is greater than the first opening width and the second channel width is greater than the first channel width.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in the second channel of the second strut, and wherein the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the second channel of the second strut.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the first side surface includes a first protrusion at the third corner, and wherein the second side surface includes a second protrusion at the fourth corner.
19. The system of claim 14, further comprising:
- teeth along the first face of the nut, wherein the teeth extend to the first end surface and the second end surface, wherein the teeth are configured to engage a flange of the strut.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the teeth of the nut extend to an entire length of the first end surface and to an entire length of the second end surface, wherein the teeth are configured to engage a flange of the strut.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 10, 2013
Date of Patent: Aug 11, 2015
Patent Publication Number: 20130177366
Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Inventors: Charles E. Whipple (Collierville, TN), Roger Pyron (Arlington, TN)
Primary Examiner: Gary Estremsky
Application Number: 13/738,600
International Classification: F16B 27/00 (20060101); F16B 37/00 (20060101); F16B 37/04 (20060101);